The gospel is the most unexpected message in history. It blindsides you and then leaves you gaping in wonder. Let yourself be blindsided by Isaiah 53:
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way… (Isaiah 53:6)
What would you naturally expect the next words in this passage to be. Here’s what I would expect: “And God crushed you for your wicked rebellion.” Or, “And God gave you what you deserve, blistering wrath.”
But that’s not what we find at all. Let yourself be astonished by these words:
…and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
This is mind boggling. I’m the one that’s lusted in my heart. I’m the one that’s spoken harshly to my wife. I’m the one that’s grumbled and complained about the amount of work I’m doing at the Pastor’s College. I’m the one who has arrogantly talked about others behind their backs. And I’m the one that should be crushed for my sins. God should wipe me off the face of the earth and cast me into hell for eternity.
But he doesn’t. Instead God lays our iniquity on the servant, his son, and crushes him. For me. For my forgiveness. This is blindside gospel.
It’s the kind of love that’s impossible to fathom. Do you ever doubt that God loves you? Spend some time soaking in this verse.
photo by andrewlee1967
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you! I have been reminded this weekend to pray for unsaved relatives. Through doing that I have been able to have a fresh dose of thankfulness for salvation. The only thing that separates me from them is the grace of God. I would be just as they are and I would do many of the things that they do except that God chose to save me. Why me and not them? Why wasn’t it the other way around? I don’t know, but it certainly wasn’t anything that I did. God, in HIs mercy, chose to save me despite what I did and still do. I had strayed and turned away- I had gone against him- I sin every day- and yet, out of millions lost, he has rescued me from death. It is indeed mind-boggling.
I love this passage in Isaiah. Our pastor has challenged our entire congregation to memorize Isa. 52:13-53:12 as he preaches through the book. (I’ve almost got it.)
Great post, great reminder of the gospel for this morning. I started going through A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent and could not put it down! It’s such a vivid picture of God’s love toward undeserving sinners, I think this post coincides nicely with what I’ve been reading there.
It really is a mind boggling thought that God has any love whatsoever toward a lustful, petty sinner like myself. Thanks for the great reminder this morning, as always I look forward to my time at The Blazing Center!
Blessings
Ron Reffett
Wendy – So true. Interacting with unsaved relatives is such a wonderful reminder that we are totally dependent upon the grace of God. We may not understand why God has saved us, but we can certainly be grateful!
Barry – What a great passage to memorize!
Ron – I absolutely love The Gospel Primer. I’m also grateful for your encouragement.